The Relationship Between Quality Of Life And Depression In Turkish Older Adults

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to measure the quality of life of the older adults living in Turkey and to determine the relationship between quality of life and depression.

Methods: The population of the study included older people aged 65 and over. The sample consisted of 219 older adults selected using convenience sampling, based on the availability and willingness of the participants to take part in the study. Data were collected by the face-to-face administration of the socio-demographic characteristics form, SF-36 Quality of Life Scale and Beck Depression Inventory.

Results: There is a significant, strong and negative relationship between quality of life and depression. Quality of life differed according to gender, education, marital status, employment and income perception, social security and health status. Female older adults had higher levels of depression.  

Conclusions: Quality of life in older men is higher, and older women are more vulnerable to depression then men. These points should be considered when planning inclusion activities to increase quality of life in older populations. Social policy-makers should consider the social security’s contribution to physical and mental functioning of the older people when developing policies and allocating resources for the old.